Head to head
Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.
$15/hr
Arc.dev is a vetted talent marketplace for remote developers and other tech roles. Freelancers cost $15 to $110+ per hour, and full-time placements cost 20% of annual salary, paid only on hire. It fits US startups and tech companies that want pre-screened remote engineers without running the whole search.
Where Arc.dev fits
15% fee
Braintrust is a freelance talent marketplace plus an AI screening product. Employers pay a published 15% fee on talent payments, and talent pays nothing. It fits companies hiring contract engineers and specialists that want a transparent fee instead of a staffing agency markup.
Where Braintrust fits
| Detail | Arc.dev | Braintrust |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $15/hr | 15% fee |
| Free tier | –No | –No |
| MCP server | –No | –No |
| Public API | –No | –No |
| Listed under | Sourcing, Job boards | Sourcing, EOR, AI interviewing |
Arc.dev
Stands out: Arc publishes its fees, which is rare among vetted developer networks: a clear hourly range for freelancers and a flat 20% of salary for full-time hires. HireAI screens applicants and auto-sources matching candidates, and every plan comes with a dedicated recruiter. Arc says full-time roles fill in about 14 days on average.
Watch out: A 20% of salary fee adds up quickly on senior engineering salaries. The freelance trial is described as risk-free, but the exact terms are not spelled out on the pricing page, so confirm them before you start. ATS integration is listed for full-time hires, but no ATS names are published.
Not the right fit for
Braintrust
Stands out: Braintrust publishes its 15% client fee, which is rare among vetted talent networks. The same company sells AIR, an AI voice interviewer that runs thousands of screens a day and syncs ranked results to Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, iCIMS and SmartRecruiters.
Watch out: The site now spans three products, including Nexus for operations automation, so the marketplace can be hard to find. The 15% fee also applies to direct hires and conversions within six months, and EOR services cost extra.
Not the right fit for
Arc.dev
Braintrust
Arc.dev
$15/hr
Arc.dev publishes two pricing models. Freelance hires are billed hourly at $15 to $110+ per hour depending on the talent, with a risk-free trial period of up to two weeks. Full-time hires cost a fee of 20% of the candidate's annual salary, paid only when you decide to hire, and Arc will match a replacement free of charge within the first three months if you are not satisfied. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.
Checked 26 Sep 2026
Braintrust
15% fee
On the Talent Marketplace, employers pay a 15% service fee on payments to talent, and talent pays no platform fee. Direct hires, and contractors converted to employees within six months, cost 15% of first-year base salary. AIR is priced by interview volume and quoted by sales, and EOR or W-2 payrolling costs extra. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.
Checked 26 Sep 2026
All Arc.dev alternatives All Braintrust alternatives Every Sourcing tool
Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 26 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?